UBS Monocle
Spirits in style
Julio Cabrera
Founder and master bartender, Cafe La Trova
At his bar in Miami’s Little Havana neighbourhood, Cafe La Trova, Julio Cabrera has become a celebrated ambassador for Cuban culture by bringing its cantinero style of bartending to America. In the process, he has become one of the world’s most influential bartenders, crafting exceptional cocktails while authentically showcasing his heritage. “When I started bartending in the US, I realised that what we had been doing forever in Cuba was unique,” says Cabrera. “I knew instantly that I didn’t want to just become another American mixologist. I’m Cuban so I wanted to bring my style to the US and I felt that I had to open my own bar to pay homage to my roots.”
At Cafe La Trova, Cabrera and his colleagues showcase their unique cantinero skills, which combine entertainment with regional cocktail recipes. Bartenders perform the style’s flashy techniques, such as tossing shakers in the air, accompanied by Cuban music and bar snacks like empanadas and croquetas.
Today, Miami’s Little Havana is a hub for celebrating the traditions of cantinero and Cabrera is leading the way. “We showcase traditional music every night,” he says. “People dance and sing. There’s an energy to the place and we are upholding traditions of cantinero style, which is something different from just bartending. It’s an art form.”
“What I found is that I can be myself behind the bar,” he adds. “I can talk to people, dance, sing, and entertain. Yes, I can make amazing drinks, but it’s more about creating a dialogue with people and making sure that they’re enjoying it. We’re part of the show. People go to bars for the bartender, the conversation, the atmosphere, the feeling of it all.”
Experience one-of-a-kind cocktails at Cafe La Trova, 971 SW 8th Street,
Miami 33130. cafelatrova.com
